Humboldt’s transit services are set to take a major step forward with the introduction of a new on-demand scheduling platform
The City of Humboldt secured funding from the Rural Transit Solution Funding Grant last year, with the intent of purchasing two paratransit vans and an on-demand scheduling platform.
With the city already purchasing the two vans, they issued a request for proposals for the scheduling platform.
At Monday’s meeting, the city council approved the recommendation to purchase the platform for transit services provided by Blaise Transit.
City Controller Jace Porten said that the app from Blaise Transit would be beneficial for staff and users.
“The proposed platform is universal with both app and desktop capabilities, with the intent to streamline both ride scheduling, optimized driver assignments, improve route efficiencies and enhance the experience for both administrative staff and the users.”
Porten added that Blaise Transit is a company that focuses on communities that have comparable transit to Humboldt, and they were recommended as a provider in the 2021 transit feasibility study.
With the move to the on-demand scheduling platform, it will move away from being reliant on the phone calls that are currently used.
The ability to use phones for scheduling transit can still be applicable with the app from Blaise Transit, Porten explains.
“The app is quite user friendly, so the driver can still accept a phone call, go in, assign that rider for whatever time they're booking, and still basically be able to do it.”
He also noted that instead of tracking it manually, the city now can track it through the app.
Porten said there are a lot of similarities between the app, and many rideshare apps.
“There will be billing through it. You will be able to identify where the van is on its route to pick you up.”
The app will have the capabilities to expand as Humboldt looks to have their transit services grow in the future.
The city hopes to launch the app in about a month’s time.